When we inspected Atlas House there were six people using the service. We were able to speak with three of them. All of them told us that they were quite happy with the way that they were supported and had been involved in planning their care and treatment. People said they were able to raise any concerns that they might have and they were confident that staff would listen to them. Comments we received included “we can raise any issues we want and then the staff act on them” and “they (the staff) listen and try and change it”. Those people who were detained under The Mental Health Act (1983) had been given details about their sections and understood their rights. Care plans were reviewed regularly so that any changes were identified and addressed.

We saw that the unit offered suitably designed and adequately maintained accommodation. Each person had their own room with en-suite facilities and there were a variety of communal areas. People all had access to the garden.

There were sufficient numbers of appropriately trained staffing place to meet people’s needs. A programme of staff training, supervision and appraisal ensured that staff had the necessary skills to support the people using the service.

There were six people at Atlas House when we visited. We met and introduced ourselves to five of the people using the service. We spoke to four people in more depth to get their views of the service.

People told us that staff had visited them before they were admitted to the hospital. People had been involved in planning their care and had advocates to help them with making decisions and meetings. One person told us “The staff support me well and discuss things with me. I understand my care plan because staff sat down and did it with me. They help me with my medication and diabetes and get me special diabetic biscuits and chocolate.”

We saw that another person had a pictorial weekly plan on their wall that staff had made for them. They told us that this reminded them of the activities they were doing each week and that they liked attending fitness clubs. Staff told us they tried to make it more interesting by going to different fitness clubs. We thought this was good support. Another person told us “It’s Ok here. You can go out for walks and go to the pub. I like doing computers, gardening and adult education”.

The people we spoke with had not seen anyone being restrained by staff. One person told us that staff had sometimes given them a medication to help them to calm down if they were upset. Another person told us “If you are worried or upset the staff sit down with you and talk to you until you are calm and relaxed”. People we spoke with knew who to talk to if they had a problem or complaint. Overall the people we spoke with were happy and one patient told us they felt safe at Atlas House because there were always plenty of staff around.